More Articles News

comment

The investigation into a fatal heroin overdose led to a guilty plea for a Connecticut man who pleaded guilty to distributing drugs in the area.

Roger Tuscano, 48, of Bristol pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of heroin, John Durham, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced.

On April 26 last year, members of the Southington Police Department and local paramedics were dispatched to an area residence, where there was a report of an unresponsive 54-year-old woman who was suffering from an apparent drug overdose.

First responders attempted to save the woman’s life, including the administration of Naloxone and transported her to a local hospital. She was pronounced dead two days later.

Investigators at the scene of the overdose seized drug and non-drug evidence, including four wax folds that contained heroin. A report from the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the victim’s death was caused by a combination of heroin and clonazepam.

Law enforcement officials conducted a court-authorized search of Tuscano’s home on May 3, following the overdose, where they recovered 175 wax folds of suspected heroin, some of which had the same brand stamp as the wax folds found with the victim on April 26. Further investigation determined that the woman who overdosed had purchased heroin from Tuscano at a gas station in New Britain on April 26.

Tuscano was arrested on federal charges on Oct. 25 last year. Officials say the latest guilty plea “ stems from an ongoing statewide initiative targeting narcotics dealers who distribute heroin, fentanyl or opioids that cause death or serious injury to users.” Tuscano is due back in court for sentencing on Sept. 18, when he will face up to 20 years in prison. He remains detained pending sentencing.